By Glen Atwell
KIRKWOOD Crescent Neighbourhood Activity Centre – it’s the name only a mother could love.
Traders in a shopping strip along Hampton Park’s busy Pound Road want the City of Casey to give them a new name.
The owner operators of six stores located opposite the Aldi supermarket want to ditch the daggy name and come up with something catchy.
The stores in the strip include Vamp Hair, Euro Bakery, Zingfish, JD’s Family Butcher, Spice and Grocery Bazaar and Mama Boys Pizza.
Robert Lazare from Zingfish said the hub was now up and running and should be appropriately named to promote its existence.
“Every store has quality products, we’re all owner operators and are working very hard to make things work,” he said.
“There is no reason why Casey shouldn’t give us a decent name.
“There is Berwick Village in Berwick, Webb Street in Narre Warren and Autumn Place in Doveton.
“People know exactly where these places are, but they don’t know the Kirkwood Crescent Neighbourhood Activity Centre,” Mr Lazare said.
Nicole Aspinall from Vamp Hair said that her business was doing well, but she could see the added benefits of belonging to a named area.
“I’ve been here since July last year, and my customer base is growing,” she said.
“Naming this area properly will help all the stores along here get some more exposure and it should boost trade.”
Mr Lazare admitted his business was struggling, despite his unique spin on traditional fish and chips.
“Everything is gluten free and we sell flavoured grilled fish,” he said.
“At the moment, I’m selling fish and chips for $6, the price should be $9.”
“I tried to increase business by putting a sign along Pound Road, but it’s not allowed by the council and I’ll be fined if I do it again,” Mr Lazare said.
City of Casey manager of planning Duncan Turner said the erection of portable signs, or sandwich boards, was not permitted.
“It is suggested that businesses contact Council regarding any new business signage to ensure they are working within the guidelines,” he said.
City of Casey acting manager of strategic development Keri Hoffman said that at present, council did not have a name for the shopping hub.
“However under council’s activity centres strategy, it is referred to as the Kirkwood Crescent Neighbourhood Activity Centre,” she said.
>>> Do you have a catchy name for the Pound Road shops? E-mail glen.atwell@starnewsgroup.com.au with your suggestions
